John Rey Age - 75 - Ranchitos Rodriguez

John Rey Rodriguez, 75, a resident of Ranchitos, and anonymously born to Jose Demetrio (Tito) and Maria Antonia McKenzie Rodriguez, and his sister, Mary Margaret, on January 6, 1937, passed on to the next dimension on May 6, 2012. John was baptized in his home in Ranchitos shortly after his birth by Father Pajot. Sylviano and Aniceta Roybal were his padrinos. They named him Juan de los Reyes to honor the feast of the Epiphany. He was given his first education at home by his parents and his sister, Mary Margaret. San Juan Parochial School was where John got his first years of formal education, from the Dominican Sisters, and completed eight years there, with a diploma eligible for him to attend high school. After attending Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Santa Fe, New Mexico for six years, John went on to graduate from St. Meinrad College in Indiana. He was also an alumnus of St. Thomas Seminary in Denver, Colorado, The College of Santa Fe, The University of New Mexico, Norte Dame University in Indiana, New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado. He held degrees in the Classical Languages - Latin and Greek – and in English Literature and Linguistics. As a student, John worked for the State of New Mexico in Santa Fe, Rio Grande Drug Store, Jemez Mountains Electric Coop, and for his parents in their business. Mr. Rodriguez was a Master Teacher, teaching Latin and English at Española High School for many years, and his life has received tremendous respect from his students as well as faculty. Gardening and cooking were his main interests. John was a great horticulturist and a tremendous gourmet cook. John has always been a religious person – but now in his geriatric years, he has become a very spiritual person. For the past few years, he has been promulgating peace and love by giving and explaining to people with his card, how peace and love can be attained, and gets a good reception on his mission. He was preceded in death by all his grandparents, his padrinos, his father Tito and mother Tonita and sister, Mary Margaret Rodriguez Espinoza. Mr. Rodriguez is survived by his only sister, Vivian J. Rodriguez; numerous nephews and nieces. John will be remembered as a person who always has a kind word for humanity and who always knew who he was. Services have already taken place. The family of John Rey Rodriguez has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477

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